Treasury Department launches strike force to counter illicit fentanyl
By Brett Rowland | The Center Square The Treasury Department announced Monday that it is launching a Counter-Fentanyl Strike Force ahead of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s trip to Mexico. The strike force will use Treasury’s “resources and expertise in a coordinated and streamlined operation to combat the trafficking of illicit fentanyl.” The strike force brings together people and resources across key Treasury offices and is jointly led by the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence and IRS Criminal Investigation. “The Treasury Department’s Counter-Fentanyl Strike Force will allow us to bring the Department’s unrivaled expertise in fighting financial crime to bear against this deadly epidemic,” Yellen said in a statement. “Treasury will use every tool at its disposal to disrupt the ability of drug traffickers to peddle this poison in our country.” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson and IRS Criminal Investigation Chief James Lee will lead the strike force. “On visits to the U.S. Southwest border this year, I saw firsthand how Treasury tools make a difference in disrupting the flow of illicit narcotics into the United States,” Nelson said in a statement. “The Strike Force will act quickly and decisively with the top specialists from across the Department to nimbly respond to the newest threats.” The Treasury Department has put sanctions on cartel members and associated businesses in an effort to cut them off from the U.S. financial system, which plays a key role in global financial transactions. In the past two years, the department was sanctioned almost 250 targets for involvement in drug trafficking activities. “Partnerships are key to the work we do at IRS Criminal Investigation, and we welcome the opportunity to partner with our Treasury counterparts to combat fentanyl – one of the deadliest narcotics plaguing our country,” Lee said in a statement. “To date, our team has played a key role in sanctioning and bringing criminal charges against individuals and entities involved in fentanyl trafficking, and we look forward to using our financial expertise to further disrupt the flow of fentanyl into the United States.” Yellen plans to travel to Mexico City from Dec. 5-7 to meet with government and private sector leaders about ways “to strengthen U.S.-Mexico collaboration on countering fentanyl and illicit finance,” among other issues, according to the Treasury Department. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
At least nine Americans killed in Hamas attack, State Department confirms
At least nine Americans were killed in the surprise Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend, the State Department has confirmed. Over the weekend, Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets from Gaza to multiple locations in Israel as militants infiltrated Israel, killing and capturing Israelis. Israeli media reported hundreds dead and thousands wounded, and Israeli forces quickly struck back. Among those casualties were at least nine dead Americans, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said on MSNBC Monday morning. “We can confirm that there are nine American citizens who have lost their lives as a result of these horrific attacks,” Miller said. Miller also said there are reports of Americans who are unaccounted for, something the agency is looking into. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on “Meet the Press” Sunday that there could be American hostages. Casualties are almost certain to increase as Hamas terrorists have reportedly continued to attack Israelis, and Israel has signaled a total seizure of the Gaza strip, possibly setting up a prolonged war. Reports from multiple news outlets and governments say Hamas terrorists killed, raped, and captured civilians, with at least dozens of hostages likely in Gaza. The attack comes just weeks after the Biden administration released $6 billion to Iran, the main backer of Hamas. Those funds came as part of deal last month where the Biden administration released $6 billion of dollars that had been frozen by U.S. sanctions as well as releasing five Iranian nationals detained in the U.S. in exchange for the release of five Americans detained in Iran. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani praised Hamas after the attack. Republicans quickly blasted President Joe Biden Saturday, raising questions of whether those funds could have been used for the terrorist killings. “Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement over the weekend. “We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks. I stand with Israel and join many around the world in praying for the safety and security of its people.” As The Center Square previously reported, U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the funds that were part of the September deal had not yet been spent and were reserved for humanitarian purposes only. Critics quickly pointed out that the money is fungible, and Iran’s knowledge of the coming money could have impacted how it spent other funds not under the U.S.’ watch. President Joe Biden addressed the attacks on Saturday. “You know, when I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning, I told him the United States stands with the people of Israel in the face of this terrorist assaults,” Biden said. “Israel has the right to defend itself and its people. Full stop. There is never justification for terrorist acts. And my administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Biden administration released billions to Iran weeks before Israeli attack
By Casey Harper | The Center Square The Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas killed hundreds of Israelis and injured hundreds more in a barrage of surprise attacks early Saturday morning, just weeks after the Biden administration authorized $6 billion to the group’s biggest backer: Iran. The Hamas attack included a combination of thousands of missiles fired into Israel as well as Hamas terrorists who infiltrated Israel, killing and capturing civilians, according to reports from multiple news outlets and relevant governments. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani praised Hamas after the attack. Immediately after the attacks, President Joe Biden took fire for releasing billions of dollars to Iran, a known backer of Hamas that funnels money to the terrorist group. “Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement after the attacks. “We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks. I stand with Israel and join many around the world in praying for the safety and security of its people.” The Biden administration told Congress last month it released the billions of dollars that had been held up by U.S. sanctions as well as releasing five Iranian nationals detained in the U.S. in exchange for the release of five Americans detained in Iran. “Biden’s decision to release $6 billion in frozen assets to Iran serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that took place following the Iran Nuclear Agreement under the Obama/Biden administration,” Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This pattern is clear: each time funds are released to Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism, proxy militias in the region persistently launch attacks, aiming to destabilize and target Western allies and Americans. “Examining the precision and coordination of the recent attack, it’s highly plausible that the recent $6 billion, in addition to the many more billions made available to Iran after Biden lifted sanctions, provided the necessary funding to execute this assault,” Mills added. U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said on X that the funds that were part of the September deal had not yet been spent and were reserved for humanitarian purposes only. Critics quickly pointed out that the money is fungible, and Iran’s knowledge of the coming money could have impacted how it spent other funds not under the U.S.’ watch. “All of the money held in restricted accounts in Doha as part of the arrangement to secure the release of 5 Americans in September remains in Doha,” he said. “Not a penny has been spent.” President Joe Biden addressed the attacks before reporters on Saturday. “You know, when I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning, I told him the United States stands with the people of Israel in the face of these terrorist assaults,” Biden said. “Israel has the right to defend itself and its people. Full stop. There is never justification for terrorist acts. And my administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
